tenuiter Latin · revision 36712

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=190–159 BC, Terence|origins=la tenuis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [tɛˈnu.ɪ.tɛr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [teˈnuː.i.ter]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''tenuiter''' (comparative tenuïus, superlative tenuissimē, adjective tenuis)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|tenuis|-ter|t1=thin, fine, slight]].^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Its earliest use in the OLD is in Terence, where it means “poorly, meagrely”: asked how someone is doing, a character answers ''sīc, tenuiter'', “so-so, poorly”.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Classical Latin it has a literal sense, “thinly, with little depth”, used by Caesar of thinly dressed leather,^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Conte 2010) and “finely”, of a powder sifted fine in Pliny the Elder.^(OLD 2012) From “meagrely” came “feebly, with slight force”: the ''Rhetorica ad Herennium'' has an answer given weakly and triflingly, and Cicero fears that he collects arguments too feebly.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ In rhetoric it described a plain, restrained style or a subtle argument: Cicero contrasts discussing a question ''tenuiter'', in the philosophers' manner, with the orators' abundance, and Pliny the Younger praises mimiambi written finely, wittily and charmingly.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Conte 2010) Aulus Gellius uses it for subtle distinctions.^(OLD 2012) Medieval writers in Britain still used it for “thinly”.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it for “poorly”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 86/82 BC – The ''Rhetorica ad Herennium'' uses it for “feebly”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a plain style of discussion.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it of thin leather.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 165 AD – Aulus Gellius uses it for subtle distinctions.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # With little depth, [[m|en|thinly]].^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # In fine divisions, finely.^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|meagrely|alt=Meagrely]], scantily, poorly.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # With little force or effect, [[m|en|feebly]].^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # Without ornament, plainly, simply; with restraint.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # With fine distinctions, [[m|en|subtly]].^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[tenuis]]

+ * [[tenuitās]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}